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On October 17th 1945 there as a tremendous demonstration and a turning point in Argentine history, when countless millions of workers from all over the country gathered together at Plaza de Mayo to liberate Colonel Peron who was imprisoned in Martin Garcia Island. Not only was this the beginning of Argentina’s most popular politial movement ever, but also the first time the masses took over the public space for such notorious citizenship participation. Latter on in June 16th, 1955, Plaza de Mayo was bombed by the Argentine Navy in an attempt of overthrowing President Peron. While the political move was unsuccessful, the result of the bombing was a massacre for the civilians who happened to be around the area. The president would resign three months latter in a coupe d’etat known as the Liberator Revolution. During the 60s the continuance of dictatorships and civil governments made it very complicated for the people to gather in public spaces. However in 1973, when Peron returned from exile a massive demonstration took place on Labor Day 1974. It was another turning point in Argentine history, when he insulted the youth column of his peronist movement, fracturing his political strength and creating an unstable situation that would latter result into a very complicated and unstable political scenario. The late 70s were a time of complicated political and social life in Argentina. Under a tremendous military government of unseen cruelty and terror, public demonstrations were vanished off the plaza. However, they couldn’t silence everyone. The Mothers of Plaza de Mayo -a group of social activists claiming for their children’s life- were some of the few who challenged the Military coupe d’ etat by publicly demonstrating every Thursday around the Pyramid. Their children were abducted by the militars in power and none of them was ever recovered. They are still struggling for justice for their children, and you can see them demonstrate every Thursday, as they have been doing for the past 30 years. Plaza de Mayo has been the chosen spot to demonstrate and celebrate. In 1983, when the people on the streets finally overthrew the military dictatorship, the plaza was full. However it is not only for political demonstrations that the Plaza is a symbol. When Argentina won the 1986 World Soccer Championship the plaza was also packed with Argentines and the Balconies of the Pink house filled with the Soccer Champions among which was the world’s greatest: Diego Armando Maradona. In recent year the deepening of the Argentine crisis led the masses once again towards their demonstration center. On December 19th and 20th 2001, the Argentines made a strong statement by confronting with the Alianza government the future of the country. The people took over the public space in demonstrations all over the country demanding the president to resign together with all his collaborators. This finally happened on the afternoon of the 20th and after that there were several months of instability. It was a turning point in recent history for it implied a shift in Argentina’s public, social, cultural, political and economical life… There’s no question about the central role this public plaza has played in Argentine history. It could very well be defined as the social thermometer of Argentina’s character. Bob Frassinetti, art and antique dealer working from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Everything on Art & Antiques as well as Travel Information for Buenos Aires and Argentina by Bob Frassinetti (Phone: +54 911 4475 3983 or in B's A's: 15 4475 3983 ) Invest in Argentina Real Estate an uprunning opportunity with a Future